Filipino American Educators Across the USA to Be Honored with Legacy Awards in Teaching
/LAS VEGAS, NV — The International Association of Multicultural & Filipino-American Educators, Inc. (IAM FAME, Inc.) will hold its landmark National Assembly of Leaders and Educators 2026 on Saturday, November 28, 2026, inside Ballroom Centennial A at the Santa Fe Station Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada. Guided by the theme, “Leading with Legacy: Building Stronger Educators, Empowering Communities, and Advancing Inclusive Education Together,” the one-day gathering is co-sponsored by the IAM FAME Central and Las Vegas chapters, uniting teachers, school leaders, and educational advocates from across the nation.
The program runs from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM with an interactive Leadership Summit and collaborative team-building sessions centered on professional growth and cultural celebrations. The assembly then culminates with the Legacy Awards Ceremony from 2:00 PM to 7:00 PM, dedicated to honoring educators whose instructional excellence, mentorship, and civic contributions continue to transform diverse learning communities.
A major highlight of the celebration will be the presentation of the assembly’s highest distinctions: the coveted Golden Apple Legacy Award in Teaching, presented to Dr. Luis G. Rile Jr.; the Silver Apple Legacy Award in Teaching, awarded to Dr. Patrick M. Salinas; and the Crystal Apple Legacy Award in Teaching, bestowed upon Dr. Cherry Anne C. Biaco. These top honors recognize the most outstanding educators selected from the distinguished roster of finalists for their extraordinary pedagogy, leadership, and transformative educational impact. Additionally, the event will feature the presentation of The People’s Choice: Iconic Guro Award, celebrating educational legacy as voted on by the online community.
Among the screened honorees recognized for exceptional discipline-specific achievements are Science awardees Mark Vincent S. Walag (High School), Dr. Giselle S. David (Middle School), and Dr. Elvin V. Bejerano (Elementary Level). Early childhood educators earning recognition include Jacklyn B. Tuazon (Foundational Literacy & Discovery), Pearl Lorie Grail A. Balbalin (Play-Based Learning), Arlene M. Bejerano (Social-Emotional Cultivation), Marilyn M. Suarez (Family & Community Bridge-Building), Randy D. Tungpalan (Early Childhood & Kindergarten Education), and Precila M. Albania (Creativity and Innovation). In Teacher Leadership & Mentorship, honors will be awarded to Dr. Ma. Donata D. Radaza (Empowering Educators & Building Leaders), Mary Joy V. Nalda (Student Growth & Impact), and Mairi Nunag (Community Partnerships & Collaborative Impact).
The STEM disciplines celebrate Evelyn E. Juntilo and Christian Dick B. Cunag for general STEM teaching, alongside Dr. Patrick M. Salinas and Charlene S. Bernal for STEM Mathematics. Language and literacy achievements are recognized through Dr. Desirie Joy E. Laureta (Literacy & Language Pedagogy), Levi C. Hedderman (Multilingual & Inclusive Literacy), Bernadette A. Layosa (Reading, Speaking, and Writing), and Julita S. Bacarra (Historical and Civics Literacy). For groundbreaking pedagogy and technology integration, Innovative Teaching honors go to Roderick B. Bargamento for Lifetime Impact in Digital Leadership, Romel I. Revesencio as Pioneer in Emerging Pedagogy, Christie Rose O. Suson for Creative Technology Integration, and Dr. Aris A. Bantoc for Research and Innovation.
In the elementary and primary tiers, awards are conferred upon Dr. Hydie M. De Guzman (Upper Elementary), Rosemera S. Aquino (Middle Childhood), Dr. Grace A. Tumamak (Primary Level), and elementary educators Ryan M. Reyes (Foundational Academic Mastery), Genalyn V. Bacerdo (Whole-Child & Classroom Culture Champion), Ma. Theresa Labis (Catalyst for Wonder & Innovative Pedagogy), Mary Antonnette B. Guzon (School-Community Bridge & Family Alliance), and Allan Rogelio M. Sobrevilla Jr. (Student Mentorship). Inclusive classroom leaders include Dr. Fructuoso O. Salao (Differentiated Instructional Leadership), Dr. Edeliza O. Shinbaum (Collaborative Co-Teaching & Advocacy), Dr. Mylene U. Espinosa (Institutional Impact & Mentorship), Jenelyn L. Paguyo (Instruction & Engagement), and Gina E. Viernes (Innovation in Inclusion).
Special education champions recognized for exceptional dedication include Dr. Cherry Anne C. Biaco (Inclusive Instructional Design), Janice S. Armas (Multidisciplinary Synergy & IEP Leadership), Josephine V. Ramiso (Outstanding Co-Teacher & Inclusion Leader), Annabelle C. Dacua (Exceptional Advocacy & Family Partnership), Hazel C. Respicio (Supporting General Education Students at the Elementary Level), Prince Malic L. Abanto Jr. (Compassion & Crisis Intervention), Rhiana Mae M. Elimanco (Data-Driven Intervention & Student Growth), Shaira D. Mangawang (Assistive Technology & Digital Inclusion), Tyrish A. Unger (Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports – PBIS), Marciana Gabutan (Social-Emotional Learning & Behavioral Empathy), and Mary Anne Garcia (Global Citizenship & Cultural Arts). In Multicultural Education, honors go to Ken Brian C. Alegado (Community Partnership & Cultural Bridge-Building), Rahnee de Leon Candaza (Classroom Innovation & Cultural Empowerment), and Gomer M. Suson (Culturally Responsive Educational Approach).
Rounding out the subject-area categories, secondary and middle school honors go to Freddly F. Asuer (Secondary ELA), Chriselle Hope P. Ladignon (Secondary Science), Flordeliza G. Culibrina II (Middle School STEM), Heidy Y. Aranas (Middle School Social Studies), Blesilda C. Cardoza (Middle School SPED), Dr. Nora S. Aquino (Middle School Science), and Dr. Jessica Castaneda (Middle School ELA). Comprehensive teaching and community impact honors will be presented to Dr. Luis G. Rile Jr. for Legacy of Excellence in Teaching, Jeynalyn M. Pascua for Championing Students, Dr. Gerald Paolo L. Patrimonio for Inspiring Lifelong Learning, Marjorie L. Calar for Building Community Partnerships, Mary Mendjill Cecilia J. Romero for Creating Lasting Community Impact, Carla Mae Santos Schackow for Championing Service & Advocacy, and Chola Eleazar-De Torres for Advancing Equity & Opportunity. Together, these dedicated educators represent a vital legacy of excellence, equity, and service across classrooms and multicultural communities nationwide.
The overall category winners for the Legacy Awards in Teaching are Dr. Giselle S. David (Legacy of Excellence in Science Teacher Award), Precila M. Albania (Legacy of Excellence in Early Childhood Award), Mary Joy V. Nalda (Legacy of Excellence in Teacher Leadership & Mentorship Award), Evelyn E. Juntilo (Legacy of Excellence in STEM Teacher Award), Dr. Desirie Joy E. Laureta (Legacy of Excellence in Language and Literacy Teacher Award), Dr. Aris A. Bantoc (Legacy of Excellence in Research and Innovation Teacher Award), Ma. Theresa Labis (Legacy of Excellence in Elementary School Teacher Award), Dr. Edeliza O. Shinbaum (Legacy of Excellence in Inclusive Classroom Teacher Award), Prince Malic L. Abanto Jr. (Legacy of Excellence in Special Education Teacher Award), Rahnee de Leon Candaza (Legacy of Excellence in Multicultural Teacher Award), Freddly F. Asuer (Legacy of Excellence in Secondary School Teacher Award), Dr. Nora S. Aquino (Legacy of Excellence in Middle School Teacher Award), Dr. Gerald Paolo L. Patrimonio (Legacy of Excellence in Teaching Award), and Carla Mae Santos Schackow (The Legacy Award in Community Service & Education). Together, these dedicated educators represent a vital legacy of excellence, equity, and service across classrooms and multicultural communities nationwide.
